The IDF lifts restrictions on West Bank Palestinian vehicular traffic; continues operations in Rafah, demolishing several more Palestinian homes, crushing a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy to death, wounding 3 other boys. Later, IDF troops pull out of al-Brazil r.c. (where 15 Palestinian homes have been demolished since 10/15), Rafah, to “regroup and refresh” before resuming operations.AMB gunmen ambush an IDF patrol outside the West Bank settlement of Ofra, killing 3 IDF soldiers, wounding 1; the IDF places curfews on Ramallah and surrounding villages tosearch for the gunmen. The IDF also fires on Palestinians violating curfew in Jenin, seriously wounding 2. Hamas mbrs. fire 8 Qassam rockets at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MM, NYT, WP 10/20; al-Quds 10/21 in WNC 10/23; PR 10/22; PCHR 10/23; MEI 10/24; MM 10/27; AYM 10/28 in WNC 10/30)
Sunday, October 19, 2003